It’s common to feel discomfort around your abdomen, lower back, and thighs when you’re menstruating.During your, the muscles of your contract and relax to help shed built-up lining. Sometimes you’ll experience cramps, which are your muscles at work. Some women and girls may experience nausea, or diarrhea as well.Doctors aren’t sure why some women experience and others don’t. But some factors that are associated with more intense pain include:.
having a. having your first child. being under the age of 20, or just starting your period. having an overproduction of or sensitivity to prostaglandins, a hormone that influences your wombOther factors include, (abnormal uterine tissue growth), and use of.For mild to temporary cramps, some home remedies can help provide relief.
Read on for tips on getting fast relief and learn how to potentially lessen the pain during your next cycle. To your abdomen and lower back may relieve pain. A 2012 focused on 147 women 18 to 30 years old who had regular menstrual cycles found that a heat patch at 104°F (40°C) was as effective as ibuprofen.If you don’t have a hot water bottle or heating pad, take a warm bath or use a hot towel. Or you can:. Cut and sew together two pieces of fabric, leaving a hole at the top. Fill with uncooked rice and sew up the hole. Microwave for a few minutes to the desired temperature.
Don’t overheat!. Let cool, if necessary. Or wrap your homemade pad in a towel to reduce heat transfer. Reuse as necessary.You can also purchase a heating pad.
Massage therapy for about 20 minutes can help reduce menstrual pain.One 2010 looked at 23 women with period pain caused. While there are no clinical studies on the direct effect of on menstrual cramps, science suggests it may help.Vaginal orgasms involve, including your, which signals the release of neurotransmitters. A vaginal orgasm can trigger your brain to release neurotransmitters such as. Endorphins can decrease pain perception.Dr. Barry Komisaruk, a psychology professor at Rutgers University who studies the female orgasm, told, “Vaginal orgasms are described as being internal and involving the whole-body; that’s probably because the nerves that carry sensations from the are different from the nerves from the vagina.”His 1985 with Dr. Beth Whipple was the first to find that vaginal self-stimulation doubled women’s tolerance for pain. Herb or supplementDosageDoes it work?Sip two cups of tea per day a week before your period.
You may benefit more if you drink it every month.A 2012 review of studies reports chamomile tea, which helps relieve muscle spasms. Glycine also acts as a nerve relaxant.When your period starts, take 30 mg of extract four times a day for three days.A 2012 looked at girls and women 15 to 24 years old. The group that took the extract reported feeling relief. The placebo group reported none.Take 840 mg of cinnamon capsules three times a day during the first three days of your period.In 2015, women who took cinnamon capsules in a reported less bleeding, pain, nausea, and vomiting compared to the placebo group.Try grating a small piece of ginger into hot water for a warm cramp-relieving drink.One of university students found that 250 mg of ginger powder four times a day for three days helped with pain relief. It also concluded ginger was as effective as ibuprofen.Take 60 mg of pycnogenol per day during your cycle. This can help with more moderate menstrual pain.A 2008 found that women who took 60 mg of per day during their cycle reported less pain.
According to the study, the benefits increase as you take the pill and continue even after you stop.Try 1,000 mg of dill for five days, starting two days before your cycle.A 2014 concluded 1,000 mg dill was as effective for easing menstrual cramps as, an OTC drug for menstrual pain. Relief for premenstrual syndrome symptoms, a natural chemical in, may help with symptoms of.
One 2015 looked at 70 women who took two capsules of curcumin for seven days before their period and three days after. Participants reported significant reduction in PMS.If you want to give curcumin a try, check out this by In Jennie’s Kitchen for turmeric tea. Curcumin supplements are also available. CautionAlways make sure you’re buying herbs and supplements from a reputable source as they aren’t regulated. While most of these herbal remedies have few side effects, check with your doctor before trying them.Some herbs may also cause unintended side effects, especially if you’re taking medication. Most of these herbs and supplements also don’t include specific instructions for menstrual periods. Your doctor may have more information on dosage recommendations.
Maintaining a healthy diet and keeping up a regular exercise regimen can go a long way toward preventing menstrual pain. A 2016 of 250 women found significant differences between period pain in women who maintained a healthy lifestyle and those who didn’t.Read on for specific diet and exercise tips. DietGenerally, a diet geared toward decreasing menstrual pain should be high in minimally processed foods, and plants.Give these foods a try:. is rich in vitamins. contains, which may reduce bloating., and are rich in, which eases cramps. and contain., and contain, which is lost during menstruation.
contains with antioxidant properties, which reduce swelling and inflammation.Boron: This mineral helps your body absorb. It also reduces menstrual cramps: A 2015 that looked at 113 university students found that boron reduced the intensity and length of menstrual pain. Foods with high concentration of boron include:.You can also take boron supplements, if your diet doesn’t provide enough. However, you should consult your doctor before taking boron supplements.Water: It sounds odd, but drinking water keeps your body from and helps to avoid painful bloating during menstruation. Warm or hot water is usually better for cramps, as hot liquids increase blood flow to your skin and may relax cramped muscles.You can also eat water-based foods to increase your, including:., including, and raspberriesCalcium: This mineral can help reduce muscle cramping during menstruation.
The recommends at least 1,000 milligrams (mg) per day for women between the ages of 19 and 50. Include:. almonds. leafy green vegetablesCalcium is also available.
But speak to your doctor before taking supplements to find out if it’s safe for you. ExerciseThe idea of immediately before or during your period may not appeal to you. But exercise releases endorphins.suggests exercise is effective at reducing menstrual pain to the extent it may also eliminate or reduce the need for pain-relief medication. Moderate activity such as walking can be beneficial during your period in place of more strenuous activity.is a gentle exercise that also releases endorphins and helps prevent or reduce menstrual symptoms.
In one 2011, researchers found three different yoga poses — Cobra, Cat, and Fish — significantly reduced intensity and duration of pain during menstruation for young women ages 18 to 22.Watch this video for a 15-minute yoga routine you can do during your period.